Padua

Padua: history & character

Padua, one of Europe's oldest university cities (founded 1222), has had a centuries-long relationship with animals: this is where Saint Anthony reportedly preached to the fish according to Franciscan legend, and where Galileo taught for 18 years before leaving for Florence. The Veneto historic centre, inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage list in 2021 for its 14th-century frescoes (notably Giotto's Scrovegni Chapel), is built around three adjoining piazzas — Erbe, Frutta and Signori — and the famous Prato della Valle, one of Europe's largest squares at 88,620 m². Today Padua is one of the calmest pet-friendly bases in north-east Italy: less crowded than Venice or Verona, blessed with over 25 km of porticoed arcades sheltering dogs and owners from winter rain and summer sun alike, and connected to Venice in 25 minutes by regional train (€5 flat fare for leashed and muzzled dogs). Official aree cani in nearly every district, the OVUD university veterinary hospital in Legnaro, and a vibrant terrace-aperitivo culture round out the picture of a city built for canine visitors.